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MPs launch probe into “retaliatory evictions”

27/10/2014

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the private rented sector has launched a short inquiry into Sarah Teather MP’s bill regarding supposed ‘retaliatory’ evictions in private rented housing.

Retaliatory evictions are commonly understood to have taken place where a tenant asked their landlord to carry out repairs to their properties and the landlord responds by serving notice on them to leave the home. Tenants and landlord organisations dispute the extent to which such evictions take place.

Sarah Teather MP’s Tenancies (Reform) Bill seeks to protect tenants against such evictions and to amend the law on notices seeking possession relating to assured short hold tenancies.

The APPG has launched its inquiry to understand the impact that the legislation would have on the sector, the extent of the problem it seeks to address and what, if any, changes could be made to improve it.

All interested organisations are invited to submit evidence and a report will be produced with recommendations being made to ministers before the committee stage of the bill.

As well as written submissions, members will take oral evidence from experts on 27 October and 3 November.

Announcing the inquiry, the group’s chairman, Oliver Colvile, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said: “The issue of evictions in rented homes is incredibly emotive and needs to be treated sensitively.

“Tenants rightly deserve protections from rogue landlords whilst landlords also need protections to be able to swiftly remove tenants who breach the terms of their contracts.

“With landlord and tenant groups in disagreement over the need for this bill the group will seek to reach a consensus on the best way forward that is fair to all sides.”

Those with an interest in these subjects are invited to provide written submissions of no more than 1,000 words with a one page executive summary to Ed Jacobs on admin@prs-group.org.uk.